France secured a dominant 57-10 win over South Africa at Franklin’s Gardens, claiming first place in Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool D with nine tries, including two each from Emilie Boulard and Joanna Grisez. They will face Ireland next Sunday at Sandy Park in Exeter in the quarter-finals.
Scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus earned her second consecutive player of the match award for directing France’s highest-ever score against South Africa in front of a full-capacity crowd of 15,000.
With strong set-pieces, Sansus’s quick decisions kept South Africa under pressure, halting their momentum after their victory over Italy last weekend, which had secured them their first-ever quarter-final spot.
South Africa’s struggles worsened when Chumisa Qawe received a yellow card for a head-on-head tackle on France’s Marine Ménager, later upgraded to a 20-minute red. By the time they returned to full strength, France had extended their lead from 12-3 to 31-3.
"We aimed to be strong in defense and free in attack, playing the way we enjoy," said France co-captain Manaé Feleu. "The team had a great time."
South Africa managed a late consolation try, a 50-meter solo effort from Nadine Roos.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi scored a hat-trick as her team overwhelmed World Cup debutants Brazil, winning 64-3 in Northampton to secure third place in Pool D. Italy set a new highest World Cup score with 12 tries, maintaining their record of at least one win in every tournament appearance.
Brazil, playing in their first World Cup, struggled against Italy’s physicality and pace. Ostuni Minuzzi and Francesca Granzotto both completed hat-tricks, while replacement back Gaia Buso added two late tries as Brazil played with 14 players. Lock Sofia Stefan, who marked her 100th test cap last weekend, scored the final try.
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